Implied by Prepositions: Letters from France
Is war worthwhile? Can justice compensate for all the blood and tears shed during a revolution? Helen Maria Williams addresses this question in two series of letters: "Letters written in France" and "Letters from France." However similar in title, "Letters written in France" describes the excitement of being caught up in a revolt, while "Letters from France" compares all that is lost to that which is gained. This difference in tone is important because it shows how regret may follow impulsive actions. Furthermore, Williams expresses how the passage of time tempers passion, but does not assuage loss of human life. "Letters in France" begins with a quick paced procession through the streets of France, to an amphitheatre known as Champ de Mars. The narrator describes a parade that greatly impedes upon daily life and has a monopoly of everyone's attention. "People ran to the doors of their houses with refreshments, which they offered to the troops." Everyone showed their gratefulness in every way imaginable. There was praying, weeping, cheering, shouting, kneeling-the whole town is set into motion with excitement. Williams used vivid and colorful imagery to add luster to the procession. She describes flags, streamers, sashes, and
This principal extends even beyond war and into our every day lives. It seems time has allocated reflection and therefore, some shame. But the foundation was laid in wisdom. Williams arouses these emotions with idealistic statements glorifying freedom and punishing monarchy. Also notable in this sentence is that there is strength in numbers, and Williams shows just that. Though both letters pertained to the same occasions, they take on polar opinions. It is easy to follow when there are so many leading. The audience can picture the chaotic scene and how everyone is caught up in the moment. This shows the audience how writing in the present and writing in the past may result in very different views of the same events. This is important because it teaches the audience that just because the violence has ceased does not mean tribulation is at its end. May no such strong contrast of light and shade again exist in the political system of France!" The royal court is compared to lightening-destructive, irrational, unpredictable, frightening, yet undeniably powerful. The possibility of regret was far from their minds when they viciously abducted the kking from his family and publicly executed him. They accuse him of being an inhumane ruler, yet were hypocritical when they murdered him. "If the splendour of a despotic throne can only shine like the radiance of lightening, while all around is involved in gloom and horror, in the name of heaven let its baleful luster be extinguished for ever.
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